11th day of Fall 506 AV
Bob found himself in a high stakes game in one of the underground betting rings of Syliras. Higher than any someone of 19 would ever find himself in. The game was simple win back what his friend lost, or watch him die. Bob did not like the odds because there is a reason why this is the underground. The games are undoubtedly rigged more than even the legit ones. He should have just ignored the situation but when one of the others had told Bob what happened, he found himself running to help his friend.
Bob finally lost all his money so not only is his friend's life forfeit but he is also in debt. He pleaded for some extra time to get back the money but the men only scoffed as they said
"We don't need your money. Not when we can charge people to bet on your deaths and make a killing." with the ugly smile on their faces reflecting whats in their hearts.
Bob knew these men were sadists, enjoying the suffering of others so he finally said
"FINE! I bet a finger is worth ten times as much as whatever we owe you!" The leader only laughed and waved agreeing to the bet. Bob lost...twice...and after each time one of the leader's hired muscle would come with his cold iron sword and chop off yet another finger. Bob put on a brave face. He knew that each time he lost he is only getting closer to victory. After all, how long can they keep up calling the correct number?
A woman beat him to the die on his third try picking up the dice. Before giving it to him she held it in her hands which made the dice glow in a faint blue light. One of the thugs shouted at her
"Oi, wot 'r ya doin dere?" Her partner stepped out in reply
"Just giving the boy a chance' and the woman nudged Bob as she whispered
'Go on, hurry before they change their mind." Bob didn't know what to make of this new pair but he put his hopes on them and rolled the dice.
As he rolled the dice Bob kept screaming for a six but when the dice finally stopped, it only showed a two. Then man in dismay said
"Well now...thats embarrassing sister. What now?" while he held down the hand Bob wanted to give up the other finger. Because the dice prediction was also wrong for the ring, the leader stood up and shouted pointing at the trio
"What the hell did you do to our dice you dirty cheats? GET THEM!"The woman acted fast, doing another pointless action when she snatched a nearby deck of cards and pressed on them creating a cloud of flying cards. As the cards flew one by one each became a giant wasp which are just as big until they formed a swarm and attacked the first thing they were heading towards, the leader of the ring before they moved on to sting everyone else. At the sounds of the screams and squeals the man said
"Why did you have to do that sister? All you did was make things worse." but the woman said nothing, grabbing both Bob and his friend by the wrist and leading them out of the door. Her brother following behind them as they escaped the scene.
They ran for minutes and stopped only when they were sure no one else was following them. The minute of silence for them to catch their breath was broken with Bob
"Your magic didn't work too? I've been trying mine the whole game but I think that they have one of their own magically loading the dice already." When he looked back at the pair, the woman was holding out her hand to Bob which he looked at questioningly. She asked Bob with a smile on her face
"It doesn't hurt to have more friends right? Friends help one another, like you did" Bob understood and gripped her hand to shake it then she elbowed her brother before the brother also sighed and gripped their hands. Covered by the sibling's hands, light began to escape in between the cracks like the dice scaring Bob a little and after they were done shaking, Bob noticed that a tattoo of flying cards started appearing on he hand he lost his fingeres.
Then the man grabbed hold of the woman's shoulder and said
"Kel, its time for us to get going isn't it?" Kel turned back to Bob
"Goodbye Bob, we'll be watching you from now on. Lets go Wyn." and started walking off. Wyn following her told Bob
"Never forget what what happened today Mr.Gambler." and Bob could only look at them in surprise asking
"W-Wh-Who are you people? How did you know my name?" which was only mockingly replied by Wyn
"We're your friends Kel-Wyn. Good luck with the mark Bob, you are going to need it."
![[Verified by Siren]](./images/checkmark.png "[Verified by Siren]")
Bob Barton 
by Bob Barton on July 2nd, 2011, 6:43 pm 
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